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The departure of the Solomon Airlines AIRBUS 320 flight IE715 from Brisbane International Airport around 9.30am on 30th March 2019 bound for Munda International Airport has marked the start of commercial services to Solomon Islands second international gateway. This followed a successful proving or test flight conducted by Solomon Airlines with the AIRBUS 320 aircraft on 23rd March 2019.

The Munda Airport Development Project started in 2011 with funding from the New Zealand Government and counterpart funding from the Solomon Islands Government (SIG). The initial goal was to turn Munda airport into an Emergency Alternate International Airport status for Solomon Islands and this will address safety and cut the extra costs borne by airlines flying to Honiara who had to carry extra fuel to find an alternative airport in other neighboring countries during an emergency. The outcome should reduce the cost of travel, promote business activities, promote tourism and improve safety to travelling public to Solomon Islands.

Munda Airport Development phase I involves the reconstruction of the Munda runway and with application of 3 coat seal on the runway strip, rehabilitation and sealing the 18 kilometer road link between Munda and Noro, reconstruction and sealing of Nusatupe airport in Gizo for all weather operation and setting up an airport management firm now called the Solomon Islands Airports Corporation Ltd (SIACL) to manage and operate all airports in Solomon Islands. All Phase I components were completed in 2014 except the setting up of SIACL to be completed in Phase II.

The Phase II implementation was conducted with financing from the New Zealand government with approximately (SBD50 million) and counterpart funding by Solomon Islands Government of nearly (SDB20 million) to upgrade the airport to emergency alternative international status.

The improvements will bring a range of benefits to the people and the government of the Solomon Islands including; increased safety in Solomon Islands airspace; passenger movements; increased tourism to Western Province; improved safety for larger aircraft; opportunities to expand services in Munda to international flights; increased airline networks and connectivity; increased aviation freight and further government revenue from the aviation sector.

In 2018, Solomon Airlines and Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MCT) through the Solomon Islands Visitors Bureau(SIVB) approached both governments to turn Munda Airport to fully pledge international airport and that Solomon Airlines will make weekly flights to Munda.

MCT and SIVB Representatives witnessing the Munda Inaugural Flight

This changed the initial scope and calls for reassessment of the runway and providing extra facilities like terminals and meeting regulatory requirements and delayed the completion of the airport. Solomon Islands Government had to build temporary terminal facilities and clear Obstacle Limitation Surface (tree clearing etc.) and submit application to our regulator to certify airport for international operations and all that was completed a week before the test flight on 23rd March 2019.

Phase II started in 2016 with signing of the Grant Financing Agreement by New Zealand and Solomon Islands Government and practical completion attained in February 2019.

Completing Munda Airport Development Phase II wasn't easy with many challenges but with many in support of the project and foremost the people of New Zealand for the grant assistance that enables this project.

Permanent Secretary of Aviation and Communication, Moses Virivolomo thanked the New Zealand High Commissioner and his former and current Office staff who worked hard with their counterparts in Solomon Islands Officials to realize this crucial piece of infrastructure development in Western Province.

He also thanked the landowners, chiefs, men, women and children of Munda who have shown goodwill and partnership in hosting this wonderful piece of economic infrastructure in Munda.

He further thanked the province, all government ministries, the most successful MCA Airport Taskforce members and all MCA staffs who toil day in day out to make sure our aims are achieved.

Mr Virivolomo also acknowledged Solomon Airlines, all contractors involved and all tourism operators in Munda and Western province for the support rendered during the implementation of this project.

“To the people of Munda please respect the newly built airport and facilities and utilise the services provided by operators to fully engage in economic activities and benefit themselves and the community at large,” he urged.

The Ministry of Communication and Aviation (MCA) is committed to improve access and connectivity in the aviation sector and in 2018 to put into operation all unoperational airports in Solomon Islands and have a full plate this year 2019.

Civil Aviation Authority of Solomon Islands has suspended the operation of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to or from Solomon Islands following the crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 on Sunday 10th March 2019.

CAASI’s decision follows similar moves from global regulators including that of Civil Aviation Authority of New Zealand, whom have held discussions with other aviation authorities, including the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who has responsibility for oversight of the design of the aircraft. The CAASI’s assessment has taken into consideration the level of uncertainty regarding the cause of the recent Ethiopian Airlines accident plus its review of the aircraft design.

Currently, only Fiji Airways has this aircraft type on its Foreign AOC but there is very low utilization on this type for its flights into and out of Solomon Islands. There are no other airlines that fly this aircraft type to Solomon Islands. CAASI has thoroughly review concerns about the B737 MAX series aircraft following the tragic accidents involving the type in Indonesian and Ethiopia.

Whilst this is a temporary suspension, CAASI will continue to closely monitor the situation, review and analyze information regarding the safety risks of continued operation of the Boeing 737 MAX to and from Solomon Islands.

CAASI regrets any inconvenience to passengers on Fiji Airways flights into and out of Solomon Islands but believes it is crucial to take this immediate action until more information is available on the cause of the two B737 MAX accidents.

Suavanao Airfield in Isabel Province was re-opened last Saturday following the successful rehabilitation of the airport’s deteriorating runway which has forced the Government to close it in September this year.

The number of High-Power Laser green strike incidents on aircraft arriving or departing Honiara International Airport at night is increasing. Pilots report a number of laser strikes either on departure or approach to the airport. Some of the reported incidents took place immediately after take-off, and probably before the pilots had fully transitioned onto instrument flight or when the aircraft is established on approach to the runway. The latest laser incidents were recorded on 28 October 2018 with sources coming from Point Cruz and Lungga/Burscreek areas.

The Minister for Communication and Aviation, Hon Peter Shanel Agovaka is currently attending a High Level Meeting on Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN 63) on behalf of the Solomon Islands Government from October 20-25 in Barcelona, Spain.

Honiara Government Communication Unit (GCU): Anuha airfield, which once served as the gateway to the popular Anuha Resort – referred to by tourists then as the “Pearl of the Solomons” – may soon spring back to life after 30 years of neglect.